Kane Williamson admitted that Lucknow Super Giants need to be \u201cmore clinical at home\u201d after their seven-wicket defeat in an IPL match here on Sunday, even as he pointed to challenging pitch conditions and evolving match dynamics as key factors.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the team\u2019s performance across four matches, Williamson, who serves as LSG\u2019s strategy coach, stressed the importance of adapting to varying surfaces.<\/p>\n
LSG have lost two of four outings so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would like to be clinical at home, but context is important. Across the four matches, there\u2019s been a lot of problem-solving required on the surfaces we\u2019ve been on,\u201d the Kiwi said at the post-match press conference.<\/p>\n
With high-scoring games becoming common at other venues, Williamson highlighted the contrast in conditions in Lucknow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you turn on the TV and see teams getting 230-240 elsewhere, it\u2019s different. Here, there\u2019s been slow and variable bounce. We want to keep improving in those areas, take the positives, and learn from the rest,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He noted that the nature of the pitch, especially in a day game, made stroke-making difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn these surfaces, which tend to slow down, you need to find ways to be effective. They\u2019re not easy to hit on, but at other venues, you\u2019d encourage more freedom if conditions allow,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Williamson backed the team\u2019s batting unit, expressing confidence in its ability to deliver consistently, while singling out Nicholas Pooran.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday we were an inch away from seeing Pooran at his destructive best. He\u2019s a world-class player, working very hard, and has a strong desire to make big contributions. We\u2019ll keep seeing improvements from him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Talking about the changing nature of T20 cricket, Williamson said the introduction of the Impact Player rule has altered team strategies significantly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe margins are small now. With Impact Players, teams are effectively batting till eight or nine. It\u2019s more about maximising roles rather than pacing innings like before,\u201d he observed.<\/p>\n
He also expressed confidence in Rishabh Pant, calling him a \u201cworld-class player\u201d with a proven record across formats.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll players, including him, have a strong desire to keep evolving. That\u2019s what makes them great,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Summing up the campaign so far, Williamson said LSG are still in a learning phase despite a mixed start.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re two weeks into a long tournament. The team has scrapped hard on challenging surfaces. We\u2019re two from four but learning a lot and looking forward to the games ahead,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Providing an update on injured players, he said pace bowler Mayank Yadav is making good progress, while Mohsin Khan is also improving.<\/p>\n
\u201cMayank is really pushing the envelope with his pace, which is exciting. Mohsin is improving well, and hopefully we\u2019ll see both of them fairly soon,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Published on Apr 12, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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